An aerial photograph by Morteza Akhoundi depicting the funeral procession of 168 victims from Minab won first prize in the International News Photography category.
According to Habilian, citing Rasa News Agency, Iranian photographer Morteza Akhoundi won first place in the News Photography category at the Golden Shot Photography Awards 2026, competing against hundreds of photographers from around the world. The award was presented for his aerial photograph of the funeral and burial ceremony of the 168 victims from Minab.
The winning image depicts the funeral and burial of the 168 victims. According to the report, its powerful visual storytelling, striking composition, and emotional impact drew the attention of the judges and audiences around the world, receiving widespread coverage in both news media and artistic circles.